Category: Transport
Uber Air to test flying taxis in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne has been chosen as one of the latest testbeds for Uber’s helicopter-like flying ambitions which are due to set off with trials as soon as next year. The Australian city is the third location to be selected and the first outside the US, joining Dallas and Los Angeles as a launch site for its…
Ride-hailing service Bolt (formerly Taxify) re-launches in London
Estonian ride-hailing service Bolt has launched service in London two years after a short-lived attempt to expand in the capital. The company, previously known as Taxify, kicked off its service on Tuesday with a half-price deal aimed at challenging rivals including Uber. Bolt promises cheaper prices for passengers and a bigger cut of earnings for…
UK scientists develop self-propelling Phoenix aircraft that ‘inhales’ air
An innovative solar-powered aircraft that can stay in the sky for prolonged periods of time by “inhaling” air to move has been created by scientists in the UK. The Phoenix unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is able to propel itself forward autonomously, repeatedly switching from being lighter than air and heavier than air to generate thrust,…
‘World’s biggest plane’ Stratolaunch completes first flight
A giant aircraft with the world’s longest wingspan has landed after its first ever flight. The twin-fuselage Stratolaunch jet landed two hours after taking off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The company said the jet hit altitudes of up to 17,000 feet above the Mojave Desert while performance and handling qualities were…
Stagecoach trials UK’s first full-sized bus with driverless technology
The UK’s first full-sized bus with driverless technology is being trialled by one of the UK’s biggest transport firms. Stagecoach said the vehicle will use autonomous functions to move around a depot in Manchester. The system uses multiple sensors such as radar, optical cameras and ultrasound to plan a path for the vehicle…
British firm inspired by Iron Man claims world first ‘Jet Suit’ patent
A British company has been awarded what it claims is the world’s first patent for a “jet suit”. Gravity Industries’ multi-gas turbine engine Jet Suit has been granted the right as the inventor of an apparatus enabling an individual to fly. Company founder Richard Browning has previously demonstrated the suit in more than 20 countries…
Uber forgotten items: Last Supper painting and cat among items left behind!
What's the craziest thing you've left behind in an Uber? Probably an umbrella or more seriously a mobile phone or your front door key. It's probably not your cat, a painting of the Last Supper or a fake skull - just some of the bizarre items reported missing via Uber's lost and found index. Others…
Uber to provide free transport to NHS staff working over Christmas
(Laura Dale/PA) Uber has announced that it will provide NHS staff in England who are working over the Christmas period with free transport this festive season. The ride sharing firm is offering two journeys costing up to £10 each, in a bid to help workers get to and from work…
Amazon parcels ‘could be delivered to HS2 passengers at their seat’
HS2 passengers could get Amazon packages delivered to their seat, a train manufacturer has claimed. Bombardier Transportation, which is bidding to win a £2.75 billion contract to build the high-speed trains in a joint venture with Hitachi Rail, is developing technology which would enable onboard click-and-collect services. Martin Rennoldson, sales director at Bombardier, said the…
Triumph adds world’s first integrated GoPro to motorbikes, adds turn-by-turn navigation
At the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Triumph unveiled the world’s first Go Pro control system integrated on a motorbike as well as a ‘turn by turn’ navigation system, powered by Google. With the integrated GoPro control system, the rider can capture every moment on their ride by connecting the system to the display where they…
